Tripura BJP trashes report on 'political violence'

Agartala : Claiming that there is no political violence in Tripura, the state's ruling BJP on Monday rubbished the observation of a group of pro-Left leaders' that lawlessness prevailed in the state.

"Social activist Medha Patkar and other pro-Left leaders' claim was completely false and baseless...(and meant) to malign the BJP government's image. Law and order situation is much better than it was during the Left's 25-year rule," said Pritima Bhowmik, BJP's Tripura state general secretary.

"Peace prevails in the state. The new government is pursuing a policy of zero tolerance against crime," she said.

She countered the claim of Patkar and other leaders that four Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) members were killed by BJP and RSS workers.

"People had witnessed the worst-ever, post-poll violence after Assembly elections in 2008 and 2013. At least 11 BJP activists were killed before February 18 assembly elections. The four people were murdered due to property-related disputes," said Bhowmik.

On bulldozing of offices of various political parties, she said out of 423 party offices knocked down, 180 belonged to CPI-M, 151 to BJP, 23 to IPFT and 28 to Congress. "These offices were demolished as they were built on government land," she said.

Bhowmik said that when Medha Patkar spoke about the then Left Front government's policy on Singur and Nandigram in Bengal, the Left leaders vehemently criticised Patkar. Now they were using the social activist to get political mileage.

A fact-finding team comprising Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) activist Medha Patkar, All India Kisan Sabha President and CPI-M leader Ashok Dhawale were on a three-day visit to the state.

The seven-member team said in its report released to the media: "Murder, dacoity, looting, arson and atrocities on women, minorities, Dalits, adivasis and the poor from all communities are rampant and order of the day."

Giving facts and instances, Medha Patkar said : "No action was taken by the administration and the police in spite of FIRs having been filed by the victims of political violence. An atmosphere of fear and terror prevails in large parts of the state."

Patkar alleged that the entire Opposition in the state is being sought to be wiped out, with the Left being the main target.